National Jazz Awards Finalists – Megan Washington

Thanks to all the finalists who responded — we’ll be posting a new Q&A every few days until the TAC Wangaratta Festival of Jazz starts at the end of October!

Jazz Australia: When did you start singing and why? For example, was there a ‘moment’ when singing came to you as a calling or vocation?

Megan Washington: I have always been really into music and singing, so there was never really a ‘moment’ as such. I think that deep down, everyone knows what they should be doing.

JA: Which musicians (singers or otherwise) have been your greatest influences? What about them stood or stands out for you?

MW: I listen to a lot of Rufus Wainwright, his music would probably be my ‘desert island’ choice. Like everyone, I have listened to a lot of Ella and Billie, also Tierney Sutton. Her improv stuff is great! 🙂 The most constant artist I have listened to is probably Ben Folds… (buy his new album! it’s so good!)

JA: What do you look for in a rhythm section?

MW: Understanding 🙂

JA: What are your favourite lyrics, and why?

MW: That’s an impossible question! I think that the best lyrics to a standard are those to ‘nobody else but me’.

JA: What are you listening to now?

MW: At the moment, I am listening to Martha Wainwright’s new album, and Clare Bowditch’s first Album, ‘autumn bone’. Also Damien Rice’s ‘O’.